Chapter 1 A CRUEL ENDING

Cassidy West fell and sat on the cold marble floor of her living room, with her designer dress falling around her. She was shocked and speechless watching her husband fume so madly at her.

"You thought I would not find out?" Gabriel Shaw's voice raised, his icy blue eyes burning with anger. "You betrayed me, Cassidy! You leaked company secrets to our competitor! You've made me the fool of the entire boardroom."

Her mind went places she couldn't tell trying to figure out if that was the husband she sacrificed her entire life for. In that state, Cassidy's attention was on more than on the words that fell off from her husband's mouth which caused her more hurts than anything else.

Although Cassidy bodily movement had ceased as she sat cold as though something had gotten her stuck there, she struggled to let out some words if it could calm Gabriel a bit. "I did not do it," she whispered slowly, with tears flowing down her face. "I would never hurt you, Gabriel."

But he didn't believe her. He hadn't believed her for months now. Their once-happy marriage had turned into a cold battlefield, with Celeste's shadow lingering over them like a storm cloud.

Gabriel ran a hand through his dark hair, his frustration mounting. "I gave you everything, Cassidy. And this is how you repay me?"

"You gave me nothing but your coldness," Cassidy shot back, standing up. "You never loved me, Gabriel. Not really. All you ever loved was Celeste."

His jaw clenched at the mention of her name, but he said nothing. That silence confirmed everything Cassidy needed to know. Her heart broke all over again. She had made a terrible mistake sacrificing her family, her dreams, and her happiness to be with him, and this was how it ended.

"Get out of my house," Gabriel finally said with a voice low and venomous voice. "And don't ever come back here."

Shocked by Gabriel's harsh words, Cassidy's mind was made up, she at that moment decided she would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her crumble. She turned and walked out of him, although with her heart shattering with every step she made. As the front doors closed behind her, Cassidy knew that her life has just changed cause and that she would never be the same again.

As Cassidy stepped outside, she held her bag tightly while trying to keep her composure even when the tears in her eyes tried to blur her vision. She noticed her chauffeur's sympathetic glance towards her, but she ignored him, getting into the car and staring out of the window.

As the car drove off, taking her far from the life she loved and wanted. Memories flooded her mind - their first meeting at a charity gala, the way he kept looking at her as if she was the only lady in the room, and the promises he had made to always love, cherish and protect her. Lies, all of it, were lies.

Cassidy was already drained and tired by the time she arrived at her friend's apartment. Eva Stone opened the door, her eyes widening when she saw Cassidy's face which was full of tears and her weakness did not hide either. "Hey! Cass, what happened?"

Cassidy collapsed into her arms. "It's over. Gabriel... he threw me out."

Eva hugged her tightly, stroking her hair. "Hey! Cass, relax! He doesn't deserve you. And I promise that you're going to get through this."

At the moment, Cassidy just leaned on her best friend even though she doubted and was not sure she believed what she had just said. She had no idea what the future had for her any longer. She just knew at the time that she was done with Gabriel Shaw.

Eva led her to the couch in her sitting room, and handed her a glass of water to help her relax cool off a bit. "What happened this time?" Eva asked gently.

"He accused me of leaking company secrets," Cassidy said, her voice trembling. "He thinks I betrayed him."

Eva's eyes darkened with anger. "That man is unbelievable. After everything you've done for him?"

Cassidy nodded miserably. "I loved him, Eva. I gave up everything for him. My family, my career, and this is what I get in return."

"You'll rise above this," Eva said firmly. "Be the strong woman I know you are, Cass."

Cassidy took a deep breath, while trying hard to believe her friend's words. Even when the pain she was experiencing internally was too raw and too overwhelming for her to bear.

How did her life come to this? How did she notice? How had the man she who once loved and adored her turned into a total stranger who hated her so much?

Cassidy who had fallen asleep on Eva's couch woke up the next morning with her body aching her because she had a restless night. Cassidy wasn't felling her right self, she felt like the world was moving on while she remained trapped in her misery.

With a sympathetic expression on her face, Eva walked in with two cups of coffee, "You need a plan, Cass," she said, handing her a mug. "You can't let Gabriel define your future."

Cassidy sipped the coffee. The warm coffee gave her a small comfort. "I don't even know where to start from," she uttered.

"Start by getting back on your feet," Eva said. "Reconnect with your family. Find a job that values you. And most importantly, remember who you are."

Cassidy nodded slowly. Eva was right. She can't let Gabriel's betrayal destroy her. Gabriel Shaw may have broken her heart, but She had to find a way to rebuild her life.